Hawaii basketball coach Eran Ganot confirmed the addition of Israeli center Ido Flaisher to the 2016-17 Rainbow Warriors on Thursday.
The 6-foot-10 Flaisher is the eighth member of UH’s signing class for the upcoming season. He was enrolled in Manoa classes since the start of the fall semester but required full NCAA clearance before UH could announce him.
Flaisher, a freshman with four years of eligibility, previously played for the junior squad of respected Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv. He averaged 14.0 points and 7.3 rebounds for Maccabi at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament.
The Israeli is the tallest player on the Rainbows’ roster, and only true center. He received the last of 11 scholarships UH had to offer for 2016-17.
“Ido fills a void in our frontcourt and brings a unique skill set, tremendous work ethic and motor,” Ganot said in a UH release. “He comes from one of the top programs in all of Europe in Maccabi Tel Aviv and has also represented his country in a number of FIBA events.”
UH becomes host of Armed Forces Classic
The University of Hawaii will host the Armed Forces Classic hoops doubleheader at the Stan Sheriff Center on Nov. 11, the same day the Rainbow Warriors open the 2016-17 season there against SIU-Edwardsville.
The ESPN-televised Veterans Day games, Arizona vs. Michigan State (2 p.m.) and Kansas vs. Indiana (4:30 p.m.), were moved from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Bloch Arena to accommodate a greater number of spectators, both of the military and of the community.
UH’s Rainbow Classic game against SIUE will likely take place sometime after 7 p.m., but a time has yet to be announced. The other Nov. 11 Rainbow Classic game between Texas State and Florida Atlantic could take place before the Armed Forces games, or at an alternate site.
Lower-bowl Sheriff seating is reserved for military personnel for the Armed Forces games. UH’s H-Club members may purchase upper-level seating through Sept. 22. For more information, call 956-4482. It wasn’t stated when or if tickets will become available for the general public.
Florence surfs to first-round victory
Hawaii’s John John Florence won his first-round heat at the Hurley Pro on Thursday in San Clemente, Calif.
Florence scored a 14.67 to beat Brett Simpson of the United States (9.43) and Davey Cathels of Australia (8.60) at Lower Trestles.
Hawaii’s Keanu Asing finished last in his heat, while fellow local surfer Sebastian Zietz is scheduled to complete his first-round heat today.
In the Swatch Women’s Pro also at Lower Trestles, Hawaii’s Coco Ho beat Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons 14.93 to 13.84 in the second round.
Hawaii’s Alessa Quizon was eliminated by France’s Johanne Defay 12.83 to 9.87 and fellow local surfer Bethany Hamilton fell to Australia’s Tyler Wright 16.77 to 13.50
Ho will join Hawaii’s Tatiana Weston-Webb, Malia Manuel and Carissa Moore in the third round.
Local schools go winless in volleyball
Kim Spring had 18 kills and Hannah Baker recorded 24 assists in the Chaminade volleyball team’s 25-20, 19-25, 25-17, 25-18 loss to Cal State Los Angeles on Thursday in San Francisco.
The Golden Eagles improved to 2-3, while the Silverswords fell to 5-1.
>> Pomai Recca finished with 11 kills and 13 digs, but Hawaii Pacific lost to Stanislaus State 25-22, 25-22, 25-14 in Turlock, Calif.
The Warriors improved to 2-3, while the Sharks dropped to 3-3.
>> Sienna Davis recorded 26 assists and 11 digs in Hawaii Hilo’s 25-23, 25-20, 25-23 loss to Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif.
The Toros improved to 2-3, while the Vulcans fell to 0-1.
>> Sinamoni Tonga finished with 11 kills, 11 assists and nine digs, but Brigham Young-Hawaii lost to UC San Diego 30-28, 25-13, 25-18 in La Jolla, Calif.
The Tritons improved to 3-2, while the Seasiders dropped to 2-4.